HOLY BAPTISM
Pastoral Introduction
Baptism marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives, the first step in response to God’s love. For all involved, particularly the candidates but also parents and sponsors, it is a joyful moment when we rejoice in what God has done for us in Christ, making serious promises and declaring the faith. The wider community of the local church and friends welcome the new Christian, promising support and prayer for the future. Hearing and doing these things provides an opportunity to remember our own baptism and reflect on the progress made on that journey, which is now to be shared with this new member of the Church.
The service paints many vivid pictures of what happens on the Christian way. There is the sign of the cross, the badge of faith in the Christian journey, which reminds us of Christ’s death for us. Our ‘drowning’ in the water of baptism, where we believe we die to sin and are raised to new life, unites us to Christ’s dying and rising, a picture that can be brought home vividly by the way the baptism is administered. Water is also a sign of new life; we are born again by water and the Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ. And as a sign of that new life, there may be a lighted candle, a picture of the light of Christ conquering the darkness of evil. All who are baptized walk in that light for the rest of their lives.
As you pray for the candidates, picture them with yourself and the whole Church throughout the ages, journeying into the fulness of God’s love.
The Gathering of God’s People
Greeting
The presiding minister greets the people in these or other suitable words:
Grace, mercy and peace
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
be with you all
and also with you.
or
From Easter Day to Pentecost
Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia! Luke 24: 34
The minister may use these or suitable words or the seasonal introductions (pages 392-395) are used:
Our Lord Jesus Christ has told us
that to enter the kingdom of heaven
we must be born again of water and the Spirit,
and has given us baptism as the sign and seal of this new birth.
Here we are washed by the Holy Spirit and made clean.
Here we are clothed with Christ,
dying to sin that we may live his risen life.
As children of God, we have a new dignity
and God calls us to fulness of life.
Penitence
The minister says
Let us affirm our trust in God’s mercy,
and confess that we need forgiveness.
A pause for reflection after which these or other suitable words or the seasonal Penitential Kyries (pages 224-236) are used:
Lord God, you created the world, and made us in your own image.
Forgive us when we turn away from you.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord God, through your Son you overcame evil and death.
Rescue us from slavery to sin.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord God, by your Spirit you restore us to fellowship with you and with
one another. Breathe your love and freedom into our lives.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Gloria in Excelsis
This hymn of praise or some other may be said or sung.
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly king,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One:
you alone are the Lord:
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the Glory of God the Father. Amen.
The presiding minister says
Let us pray.
The community may pray silently.
The Collect
The Collect of the Day or a Collect from pages 392-395 is said.
Proclaiming and Receiving the Word
Readings
from the Old Testament and/or the New Testament should normally be as appointed in the Table of Readings. Special baptismal readings can be found on page 396.
After each reading the reader may say
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Silence may follow each reading.
A canticle, psalm, hymn or anthem may be sung between the readings.
All stand
The Gospel
The reader says
Hear the Gospel of our Saviour Christ, according to …, chapter… beginning at verse…
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
After the Gospel, the reader says
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
The Sermon
Silence may follow.
The Presentation
The presiding minister invites the candidates and their sponsors to stand in view of the congregation.
The presiding minister invites the sponsors of baptismal candidates to present the candidates.
We welcome those who come to be baptized. I invite their sponsors to present them now.
The sponsors answer
We present … to be baptized.
The presiding minister says to the sponsors of those unable to answer for themselves
Parents and godparents, will you accept the responsibilities placed upon you in bringing … for baptism and answer on their behalf?
By your own prayers and example, by your teaching and love, will you encourage them in the life and faith of the Christian Community?
With the help of God, we will.
In baptism these children begin their journey in faith.
You speak for them today.
Will you care for them, and help them to take their place within the life and worship of Christ’s Church?
With the help of God, we will.
The Decision
At this point testimony may be given by one or more of the candidates.
The presiding minister says to the candidates able to answer for themselves, and to the sponsors of other candidates
In baptism, God calls us from darkness to his marvellous light.
To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him.
Therefore I ask:
Do you reject the devil and all proud rebellion against God?
I reject them.
Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?
I renounce them.
Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
I repent of them.
Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?
I turn to Christ.
Do you submit to Christ as Lord?
I submit to Christ.
Do you come to Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life?
I come to Christ.
The presiding minister says to the congregation
You have heard these our brothers and sisters respond to Christ.
Will you support them in this calling?
The congregation answers
We will support them.
The presiding minister makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of each
candidate for baptism, either here or after the baptism with water, saying
Christ claims you for his own.
Receive the sign of the cross.
Live as a disciple of Christ,
fight the good fight,
finish the race, keep the faith.
Confess Christ crucified,
proclaim his resurrection,
look for his coming in glory.
May almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness,
restore in you the image of his glory,
and lead you in the light and obedience of Christ. Amen.
A hymn may be sung.
The Baptism
The presiding minister and the candidates go to the place where the water for baptism is, and the presiding minister begins the thanksgiving prayer.
Water is poured into the font.
Praise God who made heaven and earth.
Who keeps his promise for ever.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
The minister continues with either
We give you thanks that at the beginning of creation your Holy Spirit moved upon the waters to bring forth light and life.
With water you cleanse and replenish the earth; you nourish and sustain all living things.
Thanks be to God.
We give you thanks that through the waters of the Red Sea you led your people out of slavery into freedom, and brought them through the river Jordan to new life in the land of promise.
Thanks be to God.
We give you thanks for your Son Jesus Christ: for his baptism by John, for his anointing with the Holy Spirit.
Thanks be to God.
We give you thanks that through the deep waters of death Jesus delivered us from our sins and was raised to new life in triumph.
Thanks be to God.
We give you thanks for the grace of the Holy Spirit who forms us in the likeness of Christ and leads us to proclaim your Kingdom.
Thanks be to God.
And now we give you thanks that you have called names/these your servants to new birth in your Church through the waters of baptism.
Pour out your Holy Spirit in blessing and sanctify this water
so that those who are baptized in it may be made one with Christ in his death and resurrection.
May they die to sin, rise to newness of life, and continue for ever in Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we give you praise and honour in the unity of the Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
Or
We thank you, almighty God,
for the gift of water to sustain, refresh and cleanse all life.
Over water the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation.
Through water you led the children of Israel
from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land.
In water your Son Jesus received the baptism of John
and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ,
to lead us from the death of sin to newness of life.
We thank you, Father, for the water of baptism.
In it we are buried with Christ in his death.
By it we share in his resurrection.
Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, in joyful obedience to your Son,
we baptize into his fellowship those who come to him in faith.
Now sanctify this water that, by the power of your Holy Spirit,
they may be cleansed from sin and born again.
Renewed in your image, may they walk by the light of faith
and continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Lord;
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be all honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
The presiding minister shall ask the following question of each candidate for baptism, or, in the case of those unable to answer for themselves, the sponsors of each candidate:
Do you believe and accept the Christian faith into which you are (… is) to be baptized?
I do.
The presiding minister addresses the congregation.
Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess, together with these candidates the faith of the Church.
Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe and trust in God the Son?
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
The presiding minister baptizes by dipping the candidates in the water, or by pouring water over them, saying
…, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The minister and those who have been baptized may return from the font.
If those who have been baptized were not signed with the cross immediately after the Decision, they are signed now.
The minister continues
God has called you into his Church.
The congregation joins the minister, saying
We therefore receive and welcome you
as a member with us of the body of Christ,
as a child of the one heavenly Father,
and as an inheritor of the kingdom of God.
The Peace
All stand. The Peace is introduced with these or other suitable words:
We are the body of Christ.
By one spirit we were all baptized into one body.
Let us then pursue all that makes for peace
and builds up our common life together.
The presiding minister says
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.
All may exchange a sign of peace.
A hymn may be sung.
Holy Communion, when it follows, begins with Celebrating at the Lord’s Table (page 208).
If Holy Communion does not follow, the service continues with the Prayers of the People, ending with the Lord’s Prayer and the Dismissal.
At Holy Communion this Proper Preface may be used in Eucharistic Prayer 1:
Because by water and the Holy Spirit
you have made us a holy people in Jesus Christ our Lord,
raised us to new life in him
and renewed in us the image of your glory.
The appropriate seasonal Post Communion prayer (pages 392-395), or the following may be said:
Gracious God,
in baptism you make us one family in Christ your Son,
one in the sharing of his body and his blood,
one in the communion of his Spirit.
Help us to grow in love for one another
and come to the full maturity of the body of Christ. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
The presiding minister says
As our Saviour Christ has taught us, so we pray
Our Father in heaven …
or
As Jesus has taught us we are bold to say
Our Father, who art in heaven …
Going Out as God’s People
A hymn may be sung here or before the Dismissal.
The Blessing
The presiding minister may say the seasonal blessing or another suitable blessing or
The God of all grace,
who called you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus,
establish, strengthen and settle you in the faith;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
The Dismissal
The newly baptized may be sent out with these words:
God has delivered us from the dominion of darkness
and has given us a place with the saints in light.
You have received the light of Christ;
walk in this light all the days of your life.
Shine as a light in the world
to the glory of God the Father.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Notes
1 The presiding minister or another person may give each of the newly baptized a lighted candle. This may happen during the dismissal before the words ‘God has delivered us…
2 Where italicized plural pronouns are used in this service these should be altered if necessary to the appropriate single pronoun.
3 the administration of baptism. A threefold administration of water, whether by dipping or pouring, is a very ancient practice of the Church. A single administration is also lawful and valid.
4 conditional baptism. If it is not certain that a person was baptized with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, then the usual service of baptism is used, but the form of the words at the baptism shall be:
… if you have not already been baptized
I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
5 emergency baptism. In a case of urgent necessity it is sufficient to name the candidate and pour water on the person’s head, saying
… I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Suitable prayers and the Lord’s Prayer should be said.
Prayers
that may be used at the Prayers of the People
Father, we thank you that … have now been born again of water and the Holy Spirit, and have become your own children by adoption, and members of your Church.
Grant that they may grow in the faith in which they have been baptized;
[Grant that they themselves may profess it when they come to be confirmed;]
Grant that they may bear witness to it by a life of service to others;
and that at all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in them;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
When children have been baptized this prayer may be added:
Almighty God,
bless the home of these children,
and give such grace and wisdom to all who have the care of them,
that by their word and good example
they may teach them to know and love you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For all who are baptized into Christ
Gracious God,
we, who have been brought from death to life,
dedicate ourselves to you.
Produce in us the fruit of your Spirit;
equip us to serve your people and advance your Gospel in the world;
enable us to live in holiness and righteousness;
and to please you in all that we do;
in the name of Jesus our Saviour. Amen.
At the baptism of a child
Merciful God,
in your infinite love you have made a new covenant with us
in your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ,
promising to be our God and the God of our children.
Enable all who are baptized in your name to live as a covenant people.
Fulfil your promises for these children, we pray,
and grant that they may grow in your faith and service
until their lives’ end;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
A prayer for parents
Heavenly Father,
we pray for the parents of these children;
give them the spirit of wisdom and love.
May their children grow up to love and reverence you
and their home share in the joy of your eternal kingdom. Amen.
For godparents
God of truth and love,
we pray for the godparents of …
Enable them to share with their godchildren
what you have revealed to us in your holy gospel.
We ask this in the name of the Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.